Mother Nature has most soils saturated with a plethora of seeds in the earth. Whenever the soil is disturbed, the seed bank responds to light, at which time, the seeds germinate to recover the bare earth, helping to prevent soil loss from erosion by water or wind. When we decide that these plants from nature’s reseeding are undesirable, we remove them from our gardens.
There are many methods available to terminate the weeds in your landscape. We have chosen to use earth-friendly and water-wise approaches to eliminate or inhibit weeds in our gardens rather than employing the easier, quicker chemical eradicators and preventers that are far less eco-friendly.
Ground Cover Plants for Weed Prevention
We try to keep the earth covered so weed seeds do not get the light they need to germinate. A lush, green carpet of ground cover plants‚—in either a shady or sunny spot—helps cut the possibility of that much-needed light from hitting the soil. Of course, there are many choices that make suitable “carpets” for both shade and sun. Here are a few of our favorite weed-deterring ground cover plants.
Ground Covers for Shade:
Ground Covers for Sunny Places:
-Ajuga
-Convallaria
-Polygonatum
-Delosperma
-Oxalis
-Sedum
Sometimes it seems like the weeds grow faster than the seeds we plant. We have a helpful method to fix this. If you have a vacant area where you are planning to plant small plugs, bare root perennials, zinnias, and sunflower seeds, follow these steps:
- Place a layer of three sheets of newspaper across the ground.
- Cover the paper with a couple of inches of compost.
- Plant your small plugs or seeds and mulch gently into the compost.
The newspaper will decompose in around six months, but in the meantime, it will discourage the old weed seeds under the newspaper from germinating. Whatever you plant will flourish in the wonderful compost. We have even used this method over dormant spring flowering bulbs. The newspaper helps keep the area where they are “sleeping” drier than it would be without the newspaper on top. That same newspaper will be decomposed enough by the time your spring flowering bulbs are ready to emerge.
If you are planting bigger plugs with a well-developed root system, it will be better if you put a thin layer of compost on the ground first. Then, put the newspaper in place with a bit of compost on top to keep it from blowing away. After teasing and gently loosening the tangled roots of the plug, using your soil knife, cut an “X” in the newspaper. This is where you’ll place your plug’s roots. Surround the rest of the plant with more compost on top of the newspaper. That additional compost and the help of the newspaper weed barrier should help these beautiful plugs become the best that they can be. Spreading a layer of mulch on top will help keep new weed seeds from germinating after they’ve been carried over on the wind.
Using Mulch to Prevent Weeds
Planting into established mulch with as little disturbance as possible is another way to discourage the germination of weed seeds. An organic mulch, such as ground up leaves, aged wood chips, bark chips, pine needles, or other plant material that decomposes slowly, will feed the beneficial microbes that live in the soil. This will help supply plants with all that they need to grow, while also blocking those pesky weeds from germinating.
Proper Weed Removal
When you do find weeds—and we all do, at some point—eliminate them efficiently and effectively with these tips:
- Weeding is best done on a regular weekly basis, if possible.
- A soil knife used to cut weeds off just under the soil’s surface and at the top ¼ inch of the roots will disturb the soil the least and kill most annual weeds and grasses without exposing new weed seeds to light.
- In some situations, selectively burning emerged weeds with a gas torch flame helps. If you are having a severe drought, use extreme caution with this method.
- Cover very small weeds with a thick layer of mulch.
Find plenty of plants to fill your garden and block weeds from sprouting by browsing our online catalogue at Brent and Becky’s Bulbs! We have so many gorgeous flowering plants, perfect for gardens all across the United States. It’s almost time to get your spring-blooming bulbs in the ground, so order soon before you miss your window!
